Spyker, manufacturer of exclusive, hand-crafted sports cars since 2000, has unveiled the prototype Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder at the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday. The C8 Aileron Spyder is scheduled to go into production in the first half of 2010.
Ther Spyker C8 is powered by an all-aluminum Audi 4.2-liter V8 engine producing 400 bhp and 354 lb-ft of torque at 3,400 rpm and comes with two transmission options. The engine is mated to a 6-speed Getrag gearbox driving the rear wheels via a limited slip differential. The other transmission is the optional ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox that comes standard with paddle shifts behind the steering wheel.
The C8 Aileron Spyder sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds with the top speed of 300 km/h (187 mph).
The mid-engine, two-seat sports car is fitted with a high-quality, semi-automatic canvas soft-top with a glass rear window and is available in eight colors. The roof’s operation is electric/hydraulic, secured by one central latch operated manually.
The frame of the C8 Aileron is made of aluminum and its dimension has been optimised for more interior space and to accommodate the optional automatic gearbox. The C8 Aileron Spyder is 150 mm longer compared to the first-generation cars from Spyker such as the C8 Laviolette and the C8 Spyder in order to provide more driving comfort and stability at high speeds. The front track has increased by 155 mm (6.1-inch) and the total dimensions of the front and rear track are 1,625 mm (63.98-inch) and 1,645 mm (64.76-inch) respectively.
The design of the C8 Aileron and Aileron Spyder is heavily inspired by Spyker’s aviation heritage. Propeller design was consistently applied to many elements of Spyker’s first-generation cars but for the C8 Aileron, the emphasis was shifted from the propeller propulsion to the turbine propulsion. This can be seen from the bright polished air inlets that were converted into turbine-engine-shaped air scoops.
Other aerodynamic enhancements include removed shark-like gills, larger grille, redesigned rear diffuser, extra spoiler under the diffuser for extra down force, single-pane side windows that are fully retractable, redesigned outside mirrors that are mounted on two turbine fan blades.
LEDs are used for the rear lights, the undicators and the sidelights in the redesigned headlight units. The Aileron Spyder is available in 16 standard colors but customers can choose any color they want as well as the Spyker Squadron GT2 color scheme.
Inside, the sports car features leather trim from the Litano range of the Dutch Royal Tannery Hulshof which is available in 14 standard colors or any color requested by the customers. Other features are brushed aluminum dashboard, turbine style air vents, a multifunctional LCD display integrated between the speedometer and the odometer, Kharma sound system and Chronoswiss dials and switches as an option.
The Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder is equipped with a new front and rear independent double-wishbone suspension system developed by Lotus. The suspension system components are made of aluminum and consist of a new kinematic layout of the front and rear suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars, mono-tube dampers, coil over damper steel springs, anti-dive and anti-squat setup for improved handling properties.
The car stands on newly designed 19-inch alloy wheels and optional Rotorblade 12-blade, 19-inch directional rotor wheels are available. The wheels are wrapped with 235/35 tires at the front and 295/30 tires at the rear.
The Aileron Spyder uses AP Racing brake system with black brake callipers with Spyker script are standard. Othe colors are available as an option.